Bill Crews
Encyclopedia
Bill Crews served as the mayor
of Melbourne
, Iowa
from 1984 through 1998. He attracted national attention for being openly gay, having come out of the closet
at the GBLT Equality March on Washington in 1993. During Crews' service as mayor of Melbourne, the city built a new fire station and library, improved water and sewer infrastructure and increased cash reserves.
Formerly a moderate Republican
, he claimed "I was a Republican from before the fundamentalists took over the Iowa party. I believe in progressive, fiscally responsible government. I am now a registered Democrat
. I'm pro-choice; I've always been." His father, a United Methodist minister
who fought for social justice, was killed in a car accident in 1973. Bill Crews was also an active United Methodist after coming out until relocating with his now husband to Washington, D.C.
, in 1998.
Crews had run for the Iowa Senate
in 1992 but lost a close race by just 57 votes. After moving to D.C., Crews served two terms as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commission
er (SMD 6C07) in the District of Columbia neighborhood of Capitol Hill. Crews also served as the Zoning Administrator for the District of Columbia from 2005 through 2007. Crews was once again elected as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in 2010.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Melbourne
Melbourne, Iowa
Melbourne is a city in Marshall County, Iowa, United States. The population was 794 at the 2000 census.-History:The town of Melbourne was plotted February 23, 1882, by Milwaukee Land Company, in section 6 of Logan Township and was incorporated December 30, 1895. Melbourne was the only town in...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
from 1984 through 1998. He attracted national attention for being openly gay, having come out of the closet
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
at the GBLT Equality March on Washington in 1993. During Crews' service as mayor of Melbourne, the city built a new fire station and library, improved water and sewer infrastructure and increased cash reserves.
Formerly a moderate Republican
Republican Party of Iowa
The Republican Party of Iowa is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Iowa. The State Central Committee is led by Chairman Matt Strawn and Co-Chairman Bill Schickel...
, he claimed "I was a Republican from before the fundamentalists took over the Iowa party. I believe in progressive, fiscally responsible government. I am now a registered Democrat
Iowa Democratic Party
The Iowa Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the state of Iowa.-Current elected officials:Iowa Democrats are in control of the Iowa Senate, one of the state's United States Senate seats, and three out of the state's five United States House of Representatives seats. ...
. I'm pro-choice; I've always been." His father, a United Methodist minister
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
who fought for social justice, was killed in a car accident in 1973. Bill Crews was also an active United Methodist after coming out until relocating with his now husband to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, in 1998.
Crews had run for the Iowa Senate
Iowa Senate
The Iowa Senate is the upper house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 50 members of the Senate, representing 50 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 59,500 per constituency. Each Senate district is composed of two House districts...
in 1992 but lost a close race by just 57 votes. After moving to D.C., Crews served two terms as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commission
Advisory Neighborhood Commission
thumb|right|upright|The District of Columbia is divided into 8 wards, each of which is further divided into local ANCs.Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are bodies of local government in Washington, D.C...
er (SMD 6C07) in the District of Columbia neighborhood of Capitol Hill. Crews also served as the Zoning Administrator for the District of Columbia from 2005 through 2007. Crews was once again elected as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in 2010.